Bernhard Ultsch
Encyclopedia
Offizierstellvertreter Bernhard Ultsch (born 26 March 1898, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace
credited with twelve aerial victories.
Ultsch volunteered for service in the artillery when World War I began. During his service with them, he won the Iron Cross Second Class and a promotion to Unteroffizier
. He then transferred to aviation, beginning Fliegerschule 2 at Neustadt
on 19 September 1916. His first assignment was to SS 29 to fly two-seaters. There he received his pilot's badge on 18 June 1917, along with his native Bavaria's Military Merit Cross Third Class with Swords. He scored his first three victories there, on 24 and 29 July, and on 4 September. On 9 September, he was reassigned to fly fighters for Jasta 39 in Italy. He received the Iron Cross First Class on 22 September. During October and November 1917, he scored five more wins. He was also promoted again, to Vizefeldwebel, on 28 October. On 31 December, he was awarded the Austro-Hungarian Silver Bravery Medal.
In February 1918, he was transferred back to the Western Front
and stationed with Jasta 77. He had a couple of unconfirmed wins in March, followed by a couple that were confirmed. Then, on 5 May, he was wounded in action, and off duty until 22 August. He came back for two last wins in September 1918. Also during September, he was awarded the Bavarian Military Merit Cross Second Class with Swords.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with twelve aerial victories.
Ultsch volunteered for service in the artillery when World War I began. During his service with them, he won the Iron Cross Second Class and a promotion to Unteroffizier
Unteroffizier
Unteroffizier is both a specific military rank as well as a collective term for non-commissioned officers of the German military that has existed since the 19th century. The rank existed as a title as early as the 17th century with the first widespread usage occurring in the Bavarian Army of the...
. He then transferred to aviation, beginning Fliegerschule 2 at Neustadt
Neustadt
- Germany :* in Baden-Württemberg:** Titisee-Neustadt, a town in the district of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald* in Bavaria:** Bad Neustadt an der Saale, the capital of the Rhön-Grabfeld district...
on 19 September 1916. His first assignment was to SS 29 to fly two-seaters. There he received his pilot's badge on 18 June 1917, along with his native Bavaria's Military Merit Cross Third Class with Swords. He scored his first three victories there, on 24 and 29 July, and on 4 September. On 9 September, he was reassigned to fly fighters for Jasta 39 in Italy. He received the Iron Cross First Class on 22 September. During October and November 1917, he scored five more wins. He was also promoted again, to Vizefeldwebel, on 28 October. On 31 December, he was awarded the Austro-Hungarian Silver Bravery Medal.
In February 1918, he was transferred back to the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
and stationed with Jasta 77. He had a couple of unconfirmed wins in March, followed by a couple that were confirmed. Then, on 5 May, he was wounded in action, and off duty until 22 August. He came back for two last wins in September 1918. Also during September, he was awarded the Bavarian Military Merit Cross Second Class with Swords.